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Filing Strategies

What Should We Do?

My wife and I are both US citizens. I am 72 and have been drawing Social Security for 8-10 years. My wife is 63 and is still working.
What should we do?

Thank you for your help.

Greg

Hi Greg,

Posted: 
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 - 12:15

Can I Switch from Widow's to Divorced Spouse's to Retirement Benefits?

My dob is 10/21/46. In 1980, I married Nick who died in 1985 at the age of 35. In 1990, I married Dan, dob 8/10/54 (8 yrs. younger than I). We divorced in 2012. Since my divorce, I have been collecting SS benefits on the work record of Nick, my deceased first husband. Next month, on 8/10/16, Dan, my divorced husband, who was a higher wage earner than me, will turn 62. My understanding is that I can then start collecting on his earnings record, if it is a larger sum than I am presently collecting on Nick's work record.

Posted: 
Monday, July 11, 2016 - 12:15

Can My Wife Switch To My Record?

My wife took social security at age 68 on her work record. I, her husband, took my SS at age 70 on my work record. When can my wife switch and receive half what I am receiving?

Hi,

I assume you mean that your wife's benefit amount is more than half of yours, and she elected to take her own benefit as opposed to taking the lower spousal benefit first, then switching to her own record at age 70.

Posted: 
Monday, July 11, 2016 - 11:15

Did The April Deadline Affect Our Strategy?

My wife started taking ss at age 62. She turned 66 on May 15, 2016. I was hoping to file and suspend when I turn 66 on January 16, 2017. It sounds like my wife turned 66 two weeks and one day too late. Am I correct?

Hi,

No, it doesn't sound like it. In the first place, you don't want to file and suspend when you turn 66. Instead, you want to file a restricted application for spousal benefits only effective January 2017, then you can apply on your own record effective January 2021.

Posted: 
Monday, July 11, 2016 - 10:45

Which Benefit Should I File for?

Hi, my birthdate is June 1950. Struggling as a caregiver to take care of my husband who had an eleven year battle with Parkinson's disease, I took my social security benefits at age 64, exercised the 1 year pay back option and resumed social security benefits in March of 2015 to pay bills. He passed away in December 2015.

Posted: 
Sunday, July 10, 2016 - 20:30

What Benefits Might Be Available for My Children and Me?

Hi, I am 61 housewife, and I have been married to a man 25 years older than myself for 30 years. We have 4 children. I have not made enough income in my lifetime to qualify for very much social security. I have declared income of $47,000 for the past two years. My husband's mental and physical decline is getting worse. I need to know what the best plan for me and my fourth child are going forward. We have asked for help from Social Security and they answer the questions differently each time. I am very interested in the $250.00 consulting program. Thanks, Catherine

Posted: 
Sunday, July 10, 2016 - 19:45

Should I File Now Or at Age 70?

I will turn 66 mid July, and am working full time with an annual sLary off @60k. I plan to work for maybe 10 more years. My wife is 52 and working full time, and will be for many years to come. Question is should I start to draw my SS benifts now, at full retirement age, or wait until age 70? How will this effect my wife's claims going forward?

Posted: 
Sunday, July 10, 2016 - 16:30

Should I File At Age 65?

Hi
Bought Get whats yours book and you are often quoted but I'm still lost (!)
I turn 65 in July, still working. My wife is 62 and still working. Do I have to file by my 65 birthday ? I plan on still working and will probably suspend and benefits until I do retire.
Thanks for any advice you can lend

Hi,

Your full retirement age is 66, so if you file for monthly benefits now, they will be permanently reduced. However, you can file for Medicare benefits at age 65, so you may want to do that if you haven't already done so.

Posted: 
Sunday, July 10, 2016 - 15:30
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